Tag: moving to france pre brexit

Our French Life

How To Find A French Friend

ournormandylife

Possibly my least favourite Beatles track. Sorry!

Oh do shut up! I hear you say. Are you really doing album fillers now? No. And yes, on the face of it, you would think this was bloody easy to do given that you live in France. How hard is it to find a French friend? Well, strap in and I shall tell you.

You’re in France right? You speak a bit of French or have the illusion you can speak right? Well, it would follow that you will make French ‘friends’ at a drop of a hat. Erm not quite. This is my take on it, as ever, and I’m sure there are lots of twenty-somethings/students in major French cities making French friends left, right and centre. But, alas, unfortunately I am not in that bracket. Mental note to previous self in a different life – move to a foreign country when you’re young, free and single!

Continue reading “How To Find A French Friend” →
Our French Life

Can You Move To France Before Brexit?

ournormandylife

brexit 31

The simple answer to this is yes. The more pressing question you should ask yourself is should you? I am writing this with 7 days to go before the UK exits the club of the European Union.  After 40 odd years of membership and desperate to get into the club we have told them to do one. I am not a remoaner. I was a remainer. I am over it. I do not care anymore. If you are not at this stage yet, in particular if you live in France already,  your aim is indifference! Continue reading “Can You Move To France Before Brexit?” →

Our French Life

Top 5: Why You Should Speak Bad French

ournormandylife

puss in boots

I often beat myself up for not being fluent after being here for nearly 2 years.  Only the other week I left my French lesson feeling totally demoralised. I frequently come away internally wailing to myself “how am I ever going to be fluent?” It’s not like I don’t try really hard. I do lots to improve my French and you can read all about it here. After I confided to a fellow lesson goer that I’m not really enjoying the lessons, he replied very matter of fact “You’re not meant to enjoy them! No one enjoys them!” Continue reading “Top 5: Why You Should Speak Bad French” →

Our French Life

Do You Know Your Arse From Your Neck?

 

confused emoji

Did I have you at arse or neck?  I’ve gone right off the rails with the language haven’t I. Actually, I think I would be doing you all a disservice if I didn’t explain the difference between these two words in French. You’re welcome. They sound no different in my Brit opinion but then my accent, at times, can be atrocious. I particularly struggle with a word which has an unacceptable amount of vowels in it – that includes the letter ‘y’ as guess what? The French consider this to be a vowel. I can often see the word in my head, I want to put my hand up like I’m in some imaginary game show and say “oh I know it, I know it!” !”it’s X or sounds like…..” Cue the crumpled up face of the recipient. Continue reading “Do You Know Your Arse From Your Neck?” →

Our French Life, Our School Life

What’s The Deal With Lycee?

scooters

This may not be high on your list of priories if you move to France with children. I am in the minority in that we moved, when our children were that much older, 13, 11 and 7. I know lots of people who either gave birth to their children here or moved when they were a lot smaller. Either in a UK primary or pre-school. So no one, if truth be told is, thinking about lycée when they come to France.  Hell, they’re just thinking about the first year, maybe two. If we like it we’ll stay. If we don’t we’ll worry about it later. You’re too busy wondering if you’re making the biggest mistake of your life. Or if you’re going to ruin your kids lives and will the world implode at the same time. Gawd, no one is thinking about what happens when your child is 15 and needs to move on in the education system. Continue reading “What’s The Deal With Lycee?” →

Our French Life

A Year in Normandy

ournormandylife

21740449_828993423934694_7890188857750539331_n

Blimey that could be a best seller couldn’t it? Oh wait, it’s already been done with a Year in Provence or something like that. God darn it!

So, I’ve been a bit busy of late working on some wonderful Normandy businesses’ social media accounts. However, sometimes that means my own writing and social media takes a back seat. Just over a week ago marked our one year anniversary in France. It has gone quick and at the same time feels like we’ve been here forever. Does that make sense? I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to reflect on our catapultization. This is a newly made up word derived from ‘catapult’ and bunging ‘ization’ on the end, to conjure up the image of being launched, into French life. You’re welcome.  Continue reading “A Year in Normandy” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

How Will Brexit Affect You In France?

ournormandylife

brexit

Okay so if I haven’t lost you in the title then please bear with.  Unless you have been on another planet, then Brexit isn’t something you can escape hearing about, whether you like it or not. Although, living here in France, it’s far easier to get away from the constant dissecting of it and watch from afar.  Which is so liberating.  Of course, I can tap into BBC News and what not but I do feel somewhat detached from the whole process, sitting here on mainland europe and by jove it feels good! Continue reading “How Will Brexit Affect You In France?” →